"Still believe that a bowler can control the game" - Team India star's massive claim amid NZ vs IND 2026 T20Is

Veteran Team India bowler Bhuvneshwar Kumar believes that bowlers can still control the game in T20Is even though the format is heavily loaded in favor of batters. Bhuvneshwar explained that it is up to the bowler where he lands the ball and hence, he has the chance to make an impact.

After a four-year gap, Bhuvneshwar returned to the Indian side for the ongoing T20I series in New Zealand. Speaking at a press conference after the third T20I against New Zealand in Wellington on Tuesday, October 27, the veteran shared his views on bowlers' role in T20s and said (via Sportstar):

“This is a debatable question. We say that the conditions favour the batters nowadays and all that, but I still believe that a bowler can control the game. The reason is that we feed the ball to the batter. I know that the margin of error is very low, which we generally talk about. But still, a bowler can land the ball wherever he wants to. I strongly believe that a bowler can control the game.

"There are small boundaries. Everything is given to the batters. But still, a bowler is the one who feeds the ball to the batter. Then it’s up to the batter what he wants to play, whether he wants to play according to the ball or not. But still, if you look at the good bowlers, they are still doing well. They are consistent. Even if the game is not equal, the bowler adapts quickly," the 36-year-old added.

India's previous T20I series, against the West Indies, saw 200-plus scores being chased down in a canter. In the ongoing New Zealand-India series as well, batters have dominated the bowlers.

"Looking to hit every ball" - Bhuvneshwar Kumar on batters' fearless approach in T20Is

During the press conference, Bhuvneshwar also shared his thoughts on the mindset of batters from the current generation. Praising their positive approach with the willow, he said:

“Earlier, somewhere there was a thinking that as runs have come in the first couple of balls, let’s go easy in the remaining over. But now it is not like that. Batters are looking to hit every ball. There is one ball. There are two balls. There are six balls. Credit should be given to this generation for playing fearlessly."

Bhuvneshwar has played all three matches for India in the ongoing T20I series, but has only managed one wicket at an average of 139 and an economy rate of 11.58.

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